Maryland HVAC License: How to Become a Certified HVAC Contractor in MD

Does Maryland require an HVAC license?

To perform HVAC work in Maryland, you’ll need a license from the Maryland Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors (HVACR).  

Depending on the license you have and the area of HVAC you’re interested in, you can install, maintain, and repair one or more of the following system types:

• Air conditioning
• Full heating
• Forced air
• Hydronic heating
• Refrigeration
• Ventilation

The HVAC licensing structure in Maryland includes restricted licenses, which limit journeymen, contractors, and masters to one or more of the specialties listed above.

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Types of HVAC licenses in Maryland

The systems used to heat, cool, and refrigerate spaces change depending on the size and type of building in question. Here are the different types of HVAC licenses you can get in Maryland:

HVAC License Type	Description
Master	Licensee can provide installation and maintenance services for all HVAC and refrigeration systems.
Master Restricted	Licensee can provide installation and maintenance services in one or more types of HVAC and refrigeration systems.
Limited Contractor	Licensee can provide only maintenance and repair services for one or more types of HVAC and refrigeration systems.
Journeyman	Licensee can perform HVAC and refrigeration services under the direction and supervision of a licensed master.
Journeyman Restricted	Licensee can perform services for one or more HVAC and refrigeration systems under the direct supervision of a licensed master.
Apprentice	Licensees can work under the direction and control of a licensed master as they train to become a journeyman.

If you receive a limited or restricted license, you can only perform services on the specific type(s) of HVAC/R systems you’re certified to work with. Because these licenses are limited, they require less on-the-job experience than a full journeyman, contractor, or master license.

Any individual wanting to get into HVAC/R in Maryland is required to get an apprentice license. There are no prerequisites to become an apprentice.

HVAC license requirements in Maryland

If you’re looking to get into HVAC and refrigeration, there are certain licensing requirements you need to meet to obtain a license. 

There are currently no continuing education requirements for people looking to start their HVAC and refrigeration licensing journey in Maryland. You can begin the process by applying online for your HVAC/R apprentice license. However, there is on-the-job learning and exam prep that you’ll need to perform to level up your license.

These requirements are all available to you on the state board website, which outlines what you need to do to achieve each of the licenses:

HVAC License Type	Requirements
HVAC/R Master	• Currently have a Journeyman license or higher • Have 3 years of experience working in all HVAC/R services under the supervision of a fully licensed Master • Have worked at least 1,875 hours in the last year  • Get at least 70% on the Master’s exam
HVAC/R Master Restricted	• Currently have a Journeyman license or higher • Have 3 years of experience working in any HVAC/R services under the supervision of a fully licensed Master • Have worked at least 1,875 hours in the last year  • Get at least 70% on the Master Restricted exam
HVAC/R Limited Contractor	• Currently have a journeyman license • Have worked as a licensed Journeyman for 2 years under the direct supervision of a licensed Master • Have worked at least 1,000 hours in the last year • Get at least 70% on the Limited Contractor exam
HVAC/R Journeyman	• Have held an apprentice license for at least 4 years • Have completed at least 6,000 hours of training under the supervision of a licensed Contractor • Get at least 70% on the Journeyman exam
HVAC/R Apprentice	• Apply online for your HVAC/R apprentice license • Be under the supervision and direction of a licensed HVAC/R Master

All Master, Master Restricted, and Limited Contractor HVAC and refrigeration professionals also have to obtain the correct insurance coverage. The insurance certificate for your HVAC/R license must include the following:

• Your full name
• Your policy number and expiration date
• General liability coverage of at least $300,000
• Property damage liability coverage of at least $100,000
• A combined general and property damage coverage of $400,000

It’s important to note that your insurance can expire, and you are not legally allowed to provide HVAC/R services without valid insurance. Any licensed Master or Contractor who commits to a contract without insurance can be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $1,000, sentenced to six months in prison, or both.

Okay, now it’s time to take a look at the specific steps of the certification process.

How do I get HVAC certified in Maryland?

If you’re serious about becoming a fully licensed HVAC Master in Maryland, there’s a series of steps you’ll need to follow to fulfill the requirements. 

Here’s what you need to do:

• Obtain your apprenticeship license online and work under the supervision and guidance of a licensed HVAC Master for at least 4 years
• Apply for a journeyman license through the forms found on the Maryland Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors (HVACR) website
• Schedule your journeyman exam through PSI and pass the exam with at least a 70%
• Report any felony or misdemeanor charges and pay any examination and activation fees 
• Work as a Journeyman under a fully licensed HVAC Master for 3 years, depending on whether or not you want to become a Limited Contractor or Master (Restricted) HVAC professional
• Schedule your Limited Contractor, Master Restricted, or Master licensing test and pass with at least 70%
• If you want to run your own HVAC business, you must meet the financial solvency guidelines of the board and obtain liability insurance totalling $400,000—$300,000 for general liability and $100,000 for property damage 

The length of time it takes to become HVAC certified in Maryland ranges from 3 to 6 years, depending on the type of work you are looking to do and whether or not you want to run your own business. 

Here’s a breakdown of the timeline based on the steps and requirements of the licensing process:

Apprenticeship (0-3 years)

• An HVAC apprenticeship in Maryland involves working under the direction of a licensed HVAC/R master for a minimum of 4 years and completing at least 6,000 hours of training in that time in order to qualify for a journeyman license.

Journeyman (3-5+ years)

• Journeymen and Journeymen Restricted HVAC workers need to work regularly under the control of an HVAC/R Master for 2-3 years, depending on whether they want to be a Limited Contractor or Master.

Limited Contractor (5+ years)

• After working regularly for 2 years under an HVAC Master, Journeymen are eligible to apply for a Limited Contractor license provided they’ve worked at least 1,000 hours in the last year.

Master/ Master Restricted (6+ years)

• After working regularly for 3 years under an HVAC Master, Journeymen are eligible to apply for a Master and Master Restricted HVAC license, provided they’ve worked at least 1,875 hours in the last year.

You can upgrade your restricted licenses or apply for license renewal on the board website. 

All paper forms and fees can be submitted to the board office at the address: 

1100 North Eutaw Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

HVAC license exams in Maryland

All of the Maryland HVAC licensing exams are scheduled through the state board’s testing vendor, PSI.  All tests have a 70% threshold for passing. 

Exams are scheduled online and then taken in person at one of the following locations:

• Baltimore
• College Park
• Hagerstown
• Crofton
• Lanham
• Salisbury

Because there are different HVAC and refrigeration specialties, plus the Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master stages, there are 13 different exams you can write, including:

MD Journeyman Restricted 

• 40-50 questions on electrical, refrigeration and air conditioning, heating systems, and safety
• 1 ½ to 2-hour time limit

MD Journeyman

• 100 questions on electrical, piping, refrigeration, air conditioning, heating systems, air distribution, and safety
• 4-hour time limit

MD Limited HVACR Contractor

• 50 questions on electrical, piping, refrigeration and air conditioning, heating systems, air distribution, and safety
• 2-hour time limit

MD Master Restricted 

• 40-50 questions on electrical, refrigeration and air conditioning, heating systems, and safety
• 1 ½ to 2-hour time limit

MD Master Contractor

• 100 questions on electrical, piping, refrigeration and air conditioning, air distribution, and safety
• 4-hour time limit

The Journeyman and Master restricted tests each have 5 versions. One each for those looking to specialize in air conditioning, forced air, hydronics, refrigeration, or ventilation. Scheduling information, studying for, and writing these exams can be found on the PSI website.

More details about each exam can be found within the Candidate Bulletin from PSI.

 Does my Maryland HVAC license work in any other states?

Reciprocal licenses allow HVAC and refrigeration professionals from certain states to apply directly for a license in Maryland. 

Maryland has reciprocity agreements with Delaware and Virginia for HVAC and refrigeration professionals with the following designations:

• Master
• Master Restricted
• Journeyman 
• Journeyman Restricted

If you hold one of these licenses and meet the board’s criteria, you are eligible to apply for a reciprocal HVAC/R license.

The MDOL board criteria includes:

• Is qualified to perform HVAC/R work under Maryland law
• Holds an active license from the other state
• Holds an HVAC/R license equivalent to one in Maryland
• Earned the active HVAC/R license through requirements equivalent to those in Maryland, which includes hours of work experience

HVAC training schools and programs in Maryland

Maryland does not currently have any HVAC/R schools and training programs accredited by the national organizations HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA). 

They do, however, have plenty of post-secondary programs to develop your skills and prepare you for the pursuit of a license.

According to Niche, a directory of colleges and universities, the following list is some of the notable schools in Maryland with HVAC/R programs for your consideration:

• Brightwood College
• Montgomery college
• Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering
• The Community College of Baltimore County
• University of Maryland (Baltimore)

Maryland HVAC license costs

Maryland HVAC license costs mainly come in the form of exam and licensing fees. They will run you between $20-225 dollars depending on the type of license you have. For Limited Contractors and HVAC/R Masters, there are additional costs for insurance. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of the costs depending on your level of certification:

Exam costs

Certification	Cost
Apprentice	$10 (application fee)
Journeyman Restricted	$50
Journeyman	$150
Limited	$150
Master Restricted	$50
Master	$150

License fees

Certification	Cost
Apprentice	$12
Journeyman Restricted	$25 for each license
Journeyman	$25
Limited	$94.50
Master Restricted	$31.50 for each license
Master	$94.50

You can learn more about the licensing fees for HVAC in Maryland on the board website, and learn about the exam costs on the PSI website.

Maryland HVAC license renewal

Like most skilled trades licenses across the country, HVAC licenses must be renewed in Maryland. The schedule for renewal is every 2 years and includes a fee of $20.

You can renew your MD HVAC and refrigeration license online through a portal on the board website.

What happens if my HVAC license expires? 

If you think your HVAC license may have expired or will soon, you must stop all work immediately and check the status of your license on the board website’s list of active licensees. 

Working on any heating, air conditioning, ventilation or refrigeration project with an expired HVAC license is illegal in Maryland and puts you at risk of some serious penalties. These include: 

• 6 months imprisonment for the first violation
• Imprisonment of up to 2 years for each continued violation
• Administrative penalties of up to $5,000 per violation
• Suspension or revocation of your HVAC license

If your license is out of date, use the online portal on the Maryland Department of Labor website to renew your HVAC/R license.

Requirements for business owners

Once you’ve passed all licensing exams and received the necessary insurance to be an HVAC/R contractor, you can take the next step and start your own HVAC business. As you’ll see in the next section, this is a great way to increase your earning potential. 

But first, what do you need to do to become an HVAC business owner in Maryland?

Aside from receiving either a limited contractor, master restricted, or full master HVAC license, you need to perform the following steps: 

• Pick a memorable name for your business
• License, register, and insure your business
• Secure funding for your Maryland HVAC business
• Figure out which services you’ll provide
• Invest in all necessary tools and equipment
• Promote your business and get your first clients
• Get HVAC business software to estimate jobs and get paid

What is the average salary for an HVAC professional in Maryland?

Getting your Maryland HVAC and refrigeration license is the first step towards drastically increasing your earning potential. 

It comes down to the type of work you do as an HVAC/R professional—mechanic, technician, installer, and supervisor—your license classification, and the number of years of experience you bring to the table. 

For example, Master HVAC/R contractors would be on the higher end of the pay scale due to the number of years they’ve spent building experience and continuing to upgrade their license.

You can obtain a journeyman and master license in each of the following professions, which contribute to your earning potential:

• HVAC/R Mechanic: Earns an average of $57,035 per year with the potential to earn as much as $75,000.
• HVAC/R Technician: Earns an average of $61,530 per year with the potential to earn as much as $90,000.
• HVAC/R Installer: Earns an average of $76,699 per year with the potential to earn as much as $115,000.
• HVAC/R Supervisor: Earns an average of $107,365 per year with the potential to earn as much as $162,000.

The path to a long and successful career in HVAC/R is in front of you. You’ve got to start somewhere, and Maryland is proving to be a bustling place to begin!